Drive attachment for automobiles



Dec. 24, 1935. SEGERSTRQM 2,025,131

DRIVE ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 12, 1953Dec. 24, 1935.

L, SEGERSTROM DRIVE ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. l2,` 1933 2Sheets-Sheet'? s. R Y E w n l A 5 Y* B 4Y M/ 2 n 6 f 7 6 wdnfo nl-, .6

Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES eATsNT OFFICE 11 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to new and useful improvements in driveattachments for automobiles and has for an object to provide a simpleand easily applied means through which po-wer may 5 be taken from ajacked-up driven wheel of an automobile.

Another object is to provide an attachment as stated and which may beapplied or attached to either running board of an automobile and whichmay be easily and quickly put into and out of operation while soattached to the running board of the automobile.

Other advantages and objects will become apparent from a considerationof the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein satisfactory embodiments of the inventionare shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations andmodifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scopeof the appended claims.

In the drawings: l

Fig. l is a top plan view of an improved drive attachment constructedaccording to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View thereof the attachment being shownapplied to the running board of an automobile and with its power takeoffroller in engagement with the tire of a rear wheel of an automobile;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along theplane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing the device with its take-olfroller out of engagement with the tire of the rear wheel of theautomobile;

Fig. 4 is an end view looking from the right in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a View somewhat similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modifiedconstruction;

Fig. 6 is a View partly in section and partly in elevation and takensubstantially along the line E of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the device as shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation andshowing a further modified construction; and

Fig. 9 is a topplan view of the device of Fig. 8,

Referring in detail to the drawings and at rst particularly to Figs. 1through 4 thereof, the numeral ill generally designates the body of myimproved drive attachment and as here disclosed this body comprises alength of channel iron including a connecting portion II and sides orflanges I2 and I3. All of the moving or operating parts of the driveattachment are mounted on or attached to the body I and the latter isadapted to be clamped against the underside of the running-board of anautomobile when the attachment is to be used to take power from a drivenwheel of the automobile. 4

A. portion of the running-board of an automobile is shown at I4 and aportion of a fender or mudguard and a portion of a rear wheel of anautomobile are shown at I and i6 respectively. For the purpose ofsecuring the body IIl against the underside of the running-board I4 anysuitable means may be used although it is preferred to use the U-shapedclamp I'I disclosed in the drawings. The lower arm I8 of this clampextends beneath the body I6 and may bear against the edges of theflanges thereof and againsta guide and nller block I 9 disposed withinthe channel and the full function of which will later be described.Carried by the upper arm of the clamp is an adjustable screw 2l whichmay be provided with a cross pin or other means 22 whereby the screw ismore easily turned. On its lower end, the screw carries a clamping plate23 which may be secured thereto by a ball and socket joint as shown orby any other suitable means.

Obviously to secure the body IB against the underside of therunning-board I4 it is but necessary to dispose the body against therunningboard with the clamp I'I so arranged that its upper arm 2oextends over the upper side of the running-board. Then on tightening ofthe screw 2E the clamping plate or disc 23 carried thereby will beforced against the running board and the body will be secured in place.It is to be noted that the clamp I'I is secured to the body by means ofa bolt 24 extending through the lower arm of the clamp and through thebody and through the block I9. This bolt pivotally attaches the clamp tothe body and the relationship of the parts is such that the clamp may beswung from a position at one side of the body as shown in Fig. l to acorresponding position at the other 40.

side of the body. The clamp will be swung to one side or the other ofthe body depending on which running board of the automobile theattachment is to be secured to and since the clamp is shiftable asdescribed it will be apparent that the body may be clamped to eitherrunning board of the automobile with the end portions of the body of theattachment disclosed in the same relationship to the automobile. It is,however, not necessary to connect the clamp I 'I to the member IU as itwill be apparent this clamp will clamp the member I) to therunning-board and hold it there even though the bolt 24 or othersecuring means is omitted. It is, however, preferred to secure the clampto the member I0 by the pivot as then the parts are always together.

Pivotally mounted on the rear end portion of the body I0 is a frame 25which is generally U-sha'ped including side arms 26 and 21 and aconnecting portion 2s. nach of the arms ze and 0 and, I3'isv a. bar 3.6.

21 is bifurcated as at 29 and the frame is mounted on the body I in suchrelation that the flanges I2 and I3 of the body enter the bifurcations29 of the arms 26 and 21 respectively and the connecting portion 28 ofthe frame is4 disposed within the body or between the side flangesthereof. The pivotal mounting may comprise any suitable means as, forexample, the pin 30 extending through both flanges of the body and botharms of the frame.

A shaft 3| extends through the outer end portions of the arms 26 and 21and between said arms has mounted on it a roller 32, the roller andshaft being keyed or otherwise secured together so as to rotate as aunit, the armsl of the frame providing bearings. The shaft extends for asuitable distance at each-side of theframe and its end portions maycarry cross pins 31a or other means forming a portion of thecoupling thecomplement to which may be Such as shown at 33 connected with a flexibleShaft' 34. Of course, a rigid shaft or other type of flexible shaft maybe used in place of that shown at 34 and to the outer end of theconnected shaft there may be attached a polishing head 35` orotherdesired tool. Since shaft 3| extends at each side of the frame it willbe apparent that one end portion of the shaft will extendi outwardlyrwith relation to the side of the. automobile irrespective of therunning-board of the .automobile to which the device is attached.l y

Extending. transversely of the body I0 and having its end. portionsmounted in the flanges I2 A pair of torsion springs 3;.1 aret arrangedon. the bar- 36 and each spring is: arranged. with. one end portion 38Ybearing against the connecting portion II of the body and with an endportion 39 bearing against and hooked. into the connecting portion 28 ofthe frame 2.5. The springs are arranged in opposite sides; of the.center of the bar 36 and" pivotally mounted; on the central portion ofthe bar is a dog 40 having a portion 4I extending under the connectingbar 28 of the frame. In its upper side the dog' 40 is notched as at 42and a slide 43 is arrangedwithin the body I0 against the inner'surfaceofthe connecting portion I'I thereof and has one end portion 44'downwardly bent and disposed in the notchv 42.

The slide 43 extends forwardly from its downturned end 44 and passesthrough a groove or notch45 in thev upper side o-f the block I9, whichblockr serves as a guide and mounting for the slide. Extending throughthe forward end portion ofthe flanges I2 and I3 ofthe body is a crankmember or means 46 including oppositely extending side arms 41 andaconnecting portion fthe-intermediateportionof which is offset asbest-shown-at 49 :in Fig. 3. About this oset portion of the crank meansthe. forward end D of the strap or slide 43 is wrapped whereby toconnect the said strap or slide with the crank means. Thecrank'means isturnable or rockable on the body. I ll4 and rocking movementI of thecrank means will result in a flexingand sliding of the slide 43.

In Fig. 2 the crank means is shown in its rear `position and when thecrank means is in this position the slide 43 is disposed rearwardly andthe torsion springs 31 acting against the coninecting portion 28 of' theframe 25. rock said wheel I6 of the automobile. With the roller sopositioned the wheel will cause the roller to rotate and the shaft 3lwill be driven as will any desired tool or instrument connected withtheV shaft. When. it is desired to discontinue the., driving oftheroller it is but necessary to swing the crank means 45 from the positionof Figs. 1 and 2 to that of Fig. 8 and it will be noted that suchmovement of the crank means carries the slidev 43 slightly forwardlyrocking the dog 40 about the bar 35 and causing the portion 4I of thedog to press upwardly on the lower edge portion of the connecting bar ofthe frame. This results in a rocking or swinging movement of the framein opposition to the action of the springs 31 so `that the roller iscarried away from the wheel I6v into the positionl of Fig. 3 and will nolonger be driven.

As the crank means isy swung from one position to another it passesthrough a dead center position and thereafter is snapped into one or theother of itsl extreme positions. The snapping force is presented by theslide 43 which as shownzis in the form of a flat spring strip. A screwor other stop means 5I is provided and extends through the connectingportion II ofthe body and this screw may be adjusted up and down. Thescrew is engaged by the forward portion of the slide 43 when the crankmeans 41 is operated to carry the roller 32 to an inoperative position,andthe screw. is adjusted to controlthe throw.

Referring. now particularly to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the body of thedriving. attachment as there disclosed isv generally designated 52 andincludes e. block. 53 which may.` be of wood and to the upper and lowersides of which strap portions` 54 and 55 are applied. The clamp I1 ispivotallysecuredto, the/body 52 as by the bolt 2'4 and is shiftable fromoneI side to the*- otherl ofy the body as will be understood. Strap 55Yhas its rear end portio-n downturned providing a flange V56' and' strap54 has its rear end portion bent upwardly and looped'. as at`51therebyzproviding arms 58V and 59j. It will be apparent that this loopedportion of the strap 5.4 provides a spring.

A frame Bil-including spaced parallel armsII is provided and in additionto the side arms 6I this frame 60.' includes aV U-shaped member 62arranged'between the arms 6I and having' its side arms securedl to theforward portions of said' armsv as' by bolts or the like 63. In theirouter end portions the arms 6I mount the shaft 3I above described andsecured `on this shaft is the roller 32. Frame 6u is arranged with theinner or forward portions ofrits arms 6I straddling the flange 56; anddisposed between and pivoted to such forward portions ofthe arms 6I -isanv operating member generally designated 64.

The arm 5S of the spring extends into the-frame 6i! land is thereinconnected in any suitable manner with theconnecting portion of themember 62.

The frame 64 includes a U-shaped portion or element` 65Jhaving thefreeends of'its arms outturned as shown at. 66 and riveted or otherwisesecured to a cross bar yor member 61. A cross pin V$8- functions'topivotally secure the operating frame or membenll tothe forward or innerportions of the side arms 6I of frame 60 and such pin extends throughsaid side arms and through the arms of the U.'shaped portionV or element65 of the operating frame. The spring arm 59 constantly-'tends to moveaway from theY flange 56 andlit is therefore the constant tendency ofthe arm1519 tov shift-the frame rearwardly so ase-to carry the roller 32into engagement with the periphery of the wheel I6.

When the operating member 64 is in the full line position of Fig. 5, thespring has acted to shift the frame 6I) rearwardly and it will be notedthat the connecting portion of the element 65 is in engagement with theforward or inner face of the flange 5B. Also, it will be noted that suchconnecting portion of element 65 is located above the pivot pin 68.Therefore, on engaging the cross bar 67 of the operating member andswinging the same forward and upwardly with the connecting portion ofelement 65 fulcruming on the ange 56 the frame 60 is drawn forwardlyagainst the action of the spring so that the parts will be located intheir dotted line positions of Fig. 5 with the roller 32 out ofengagement with the wheel I6.

As the operating member 64 is swung upwardly to the dotted line positionof Fig. 5 it is moved through a dead center position and is yieldinglyheld in the dotted line position of Fig. 5 by the action of the springin constantly tending to move the frame 6I] and roller 32 rearwardly.From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the drive attachment ofFigs. 5, 6 and 7 may be easily and quickly applied to eitherrunningboard of an automobile and that while in place thereon may beeasily and quickly adjusted to permit the spring to move the roller intoengagement with the automobile wheel or to draw the roller out ofengagement with the wheel against the action of the spring.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, the body of the driving attachment isthere generally designated 69 and is shown as formed of a length ofchannel iron including side flanges ID and 'II and a connecting portion12. The clamping means I'I previously described may be applied to thebody S3 as described in connection with Figs. 1 through 4 and serves thepurpose stated when considering said figures. Pivotally mounted betweenthe flanges 'IB and 'II of the body is a U-shaped frame 73, theconnecting portion 'I4 of which is disposed within the body. Mountedbetween the arms of this frame on the shaft 3| is the roller 32. Thepivot for the frame I3 is designated 'I5 and while this pivot isarranged inwardly of the connecting portion of the frame an extension15a carried by said connecting portion projects forwardly thereof.

'I'o the underside of the connecting portion 'I2 of the body there issecured a leaf spring I6 one portion TI of which is adapted to assumethe full line position of Fig. 8 in which position it is spaced from andsubstantially parallel with the connecting portion of the body 69. Thefree end portion TI of spring 'I5 is in engagement with the extension15a on the frame 'I3 and normally acts to press downwardly on saidextension to rock said frame about its pivot 'I5 and carry the roller 32into engagement with the periphery of wheel I6.

Mounted in the side flanges of the body is a crank means 'i8 having anoffset portion 'I9 within the body of the attachment and beneath thefree portion of the spring 16. When this crank means is in the full lineposition shown in the drawings its offset portion 'I9 is arrangedsubstantially horizontally and the spring I6 is free to act on the frameI3 and rock it about its pivot to press the roller 32 into engagementwith the wheel I 6. However, when the crank means is swung into itsdotted line position its offset portion 'I9 is rocked into asubstantially vertical position and forces the free portion 'I1 of thespring upwardly in a direction away from the frame extension 15a so thatthe frame may gravitate downwardly carrying the roller 32 away from thewheel I6. A stop pin may be provided to limit movement of the crankmeans in one direction.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings itwill be apparent that I have provided a drive attachment which may beeasily and quickly applied to the runningboard of an automobile.Further, it will be apparent that the attachment owing to the pivotalmounting of the clamp I 'I may be applied to either running-board of anautomobile with the attachment occupying the same relation to theautomobile. When the attachment is in place in the Various forms of theinvention it may be easily operated to have the roller 32 pressedagainst the periphery of the driving wheel of the automobile. Also thatby a simple manipulation the roller may be drawn away from such wheel ormay be permitted to gravitate away from the wheel. Any desired tool ormeans, such for example as a polisher, a drill, an air pump, vacuumcleaner, etc. may be connected with either extending end portion of theshaft 3l to be driven by power derived from the automobile.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a drive attachment for automobiles, a body, a clamp havingv anopen end to receive a running board, means pivotally attaching the clampto the body, said clamp movable on said means to dispose the open end ofthe clamp at either side ofthe body whereby to clamp the body to therunning-board at either side of an automobile with the body having itsends disposed in the same relation to the running-board of theautomobile, means movably mounted on said body, a roller, a shaftmounting said roller on said means and extending from each side of theroller, spring means normally tending to move said means and the rollerin one direction 'relative to said body, and manually operable means formoving said means and roller in the opposite direction relative to saidbody.

2. In a drive attachment for automobiles, a body, a clamp having an openend to receive a running board, means pivotally attaching the clamp tothe body, said clamp movable on said means to dispose the open end ofthe clam-p at either side of the body whereby to clamp the body to therunning board at either side of an automobile with the body having itsends disposed in the same relation to the running board of theautomobile, means pivotally mounted on said body, a roller, a shaftmounting said roller on said means and extending from each side of theroller, spring means normally tending to rock said means and the rollerin one direction relative to said body, and manually operable means forrocking said means and roller in the opposite direction relative to saidbody.

3. In a drive attachment for automobiles, a body, a frame, meanspivoting said frame to the body, a roller rotatably mounted on saidframe, spring means normally tending to rock said frame in onedirection, a pivoted dog engaging said frame, a slide on said body andconnected with said dog, and manually operable meansy to operate saidslide to rock said dog and move said frame against the action of saidspring.

4. In a drive attachment for automobiles, o. body, a frame, meanspivoting said frame to the body, a roller rotatably mounted on saidframe,

spring means normally tending to rocktsaidzframe in@ one direction, apivoted dog engagingY said frame, a slide onV said body and connectedwith said dog, an operating means pivotally'mounted on` said body, andsaid operating means including an offset portion connected with saidvslide and adapted onturning movement'in one direction to permit thevspring to rock the frame and on movement in the opposite directiondraw'said. slide forwardly and rock thek body' against the action ofthespring.

5. In. a drive attachment for automobiles, a body,` a frame, meanspivoting said frame to the body, a roller rotatably mounted on saidframe, springt means normally tendingY to rock said frame in onedirection, a pivoted dog engaging saidframe, a slide on said body andconnected With said dog, an operating means pivotally mounted on' saidbody for movement in opposite directions across dead center, saidoperating` means including an offset .portion connected with said: slideand adapted on turning movement across'dead center in one directiontopermit the spring.Y torock the frame and on movement acrossi deaducenter in the opposite direction draw said slide forwardly and rock theframe against the action of the spring, and said slide comprising a'.spring member to snap said operating means to either side of deadcenter;

6. In'v a drive attachment for automobiles, a body, a frame, meanspivo'ting said frame to the body; a roller rotatably mounted on saidframe, springmeans normally tending `to rock said frame in onedirection, a pivoted dog engaging said frame, a slide on said' bodyk andconnected with said: dog, anV operating means pivotally mounted on saidbody, said operating means including an offset portion connected withsaid slide and adapted on turning'movement'in one direction to permitthe spring to rock the frame and on movement in the opposite directiondraw said slide forwardly and rock theframe againsttheaction of thespring, stop means carried by said body, and said stop means adjustabletoward and from said slide to limit movement of the slide when rockingthe frame against the action of the spring.

'7. In a drive attachment for automobiles, a body, a frame, meanspivoting said frame to the body, a roller rotatably mounted on saidframe, a bar on said body, a coil spring on said bar and bearing at oneend against said body and at its other. end against said frame andnormally tend- -ing to rock said frame in one direction on its pivot, adog. pivotally mounted on said bar and engaging the frame, a slide onsaid body and connected with said dog, and manually operable means onsaid body and connected with said slide tol shift the same to rock saiddog on the bar and through said dog rock the frame against the action'of the spring. Y v

8..In a driving attachment for automobiles, a channel shaped body, agenerally U-shaped frame having its arms bifurcated at their inner ends,means pivotally securing said frame to said body with the flanges of thebody in said bifurcations and with the connecting portions of the framebetween the flanges of the body, a roller, means rotatably mounting saidroller on said frame between the outer portions of the arms thereof, aspring on said body and bearing against the connectingportion` of theframe and normally tending to rock the' frame in one direction aboutVits pivotal mounting, a dog pivotally mounted on the body and bearingagainst the connecting portion. of the frame, a slide mounted on saidbody and connected at one end to said dog, a crank pivotally mounted onsaid body, said crank includingv an offset portion connected to theother end of said slide, and said crank rockable on the body to shiftsaid slide and cause said dog to act against the frame to rock thelatter against the action of the'spring.

9..In` a drive attachment for automobiles, a channelshaped body, agenerally U-shaped frame having its arms bifurcated at their inner ends,means pivotally securing said frame to said body with the flanges of thebody in said bifurcations and with the connecting portion of the framebetween the flanges of the body, a roller, means rotatably mounting saidroller on said frame between the outer end portions cf the arms thereof,a spring on 4said body and bearing against the connecting portion of theframe and normally tending to rock the frame in one direction about itspivotal mounting, and manual means to rock said frame on the bodyagainst the action of said spring.

l0. In a drive attachment for automobiles, a channel Vshaped body, agenerally U-shaped frame having its arms bifurcated at their inner ends,means pivotally securing said frame to said body with the flanges of thebody entering said bifurcations and with the connecting portions of theframe between the flanges of the body, a roller, means' rotatablymounting said roller on said frame. between the outer portions ofv thearms thereof, a bar within said body and extending between the flangesthereof, a spring on said bar and bearing at one end against said bodyand at its other against the connecting portion of the frame andnormally tending to rock the frame in one direction about its pivotalmounting, a dog pivotally mounted on said bar and bearing against theconnecting portion of the frame, a slide mounted on said body andconnected at one end to said dog, a crank means pivotally mounted onsaid body, said crank means including an offset portion connected to theother end of said slide, and said crank means rockable on the body toshift said slide and cause said dog to act against the frame and rockthe latter against the action of the spring.

11. In a drive attachment for automobiles, a body, a clamp having anopen end to receive a running board, means pivotally attaching the clampto the body, said clamp movable on said means to dispose the open end ofthe clamp at either side of the body whereby to clamp the body to therunning-board at either side of an automobile with the body having itsends disposed in the same relation to the running-board of theautomobile, means movably mounted on said body, a roller, a shaftmounting said roller on said means and extending from each side of theroller, spring means normally tending to move said means and the rollerin one direction relative toy said body, and manually operable means forcontrolling the position o-f the roller and its mounting means.

LUDWIG SEGERS'IROM. 70

